New Products
Got a bunch of products in this month - the Elemis Universal Traveller (which looks awesome), Bold for Men (a dry shave formula), and Maine Shave's four step shaving system (all natural). We're building up a little bit of a backlog here, so it might take a little while before we get to all of these.

Controversy
Without a doubt the most controversial post this month was for Ultra Shave, where we linked to a video demonstration of a man using Ultra Shave. People jumped all over me for saying "Don't shave like this man". I think it was pretty clear that I wasn't slamming the product, just the shaver. Seriously, if you regularly shave the same part of your face more than twice each shave, you're doing something wrong. Get a better razor or get a better shaving cream. I'm telling you this for your own good.

Gillette
Gillette introduced its new Phantom Fusion Power Razor this month. "...sleek new color, featuring a striking jet-black handle with copper and silver accents." Should be getting a couple in soon, so I'll let you in on the low-down.

Celebrities
And celebrities... Oh celebrities. By now you all know that Britney shaved her head. I'm sure the guys over at HeadBlade have already signed her up for endorsements. In other troubles, Aquateen Hunger Force's Frylock (and others) created quite a disturbance in the Boston area with a guerilla advertising scheme gone horribly awry. If only he didn't have that damn goatee. Then he wouldn't be evil.

February 27, 2007

Only today and tomorrow left to sign up to win a vacation to "kick it" with X-games star Eddie Wall. Click on over the Schick's MySpace page for all the details, or simply click directly to the Livin' Lodge Xperiment to sign up. I have it from a pretty reputable source that you get a free Schick Titanium when you sign up, but I wasn't able to confirm this. If you're looking for a free razor don't fret. Schick usually has a free offer every other month or so. We'll keep you informed when the next one comes around.

Total grooming system with 4 interchangeable heads, single foil shaver, rotary nose and ear trimmer, goatee and mustache trimmer and scribe blade for detailing. For convenience and travel unit can also be charged without the base.

February 23, 2007

ShavingStuff reader Gary recently noticed that the RazorMax website seems to have disappeared. For those who don't know, RazorMax is (was?) an oil which helped prolong the life of your razor blades by preventing oxidation of the metal. We reviewed RazorMax almost two years ago when ShavingStuff was just getting off the ground.

According the Way-Back Machine at archive.org, a staple in anyone's Internet sleuthing arsenal, the last time RazorMax's site was indexed was Apr 28, 2006. Has it been down for that long? RazorMax was once called EdgeSaver, however www.edgesaver.com bears no resemblance to the shaving product.

ShavingOilCentral appears to still sell RazorMax, but if they're truly out of business you might want to stock up soon. No telling what will happen once they run out.

Our all-natural products are beneficial to both men and women. Simple, safe and easy to use, Maine Shave products contain only the finest natural ingredients and are derived from plants and 100% natural blends of botanical extracts. And best of all, Maine Shave's natural ingredients are nourishing and beneficial to all skin types.

Now don't think being natural means they've had to sacrifice efficacy. Ever been to Maine? In the winter? It's nature at its most unforgiving.

[Maine's] biting cold winter, and the locals’ year-round passion for everything outdoors can rough up skin. That's why we created the Maine Shave Ritual for Men and the Maine Shave Total Body Care System for Women. It's everything you need to pamper and protect your skin from start to finish.

So it sounds to me like I need to take a little winter vacation to really appreciate this product. Maybe a little downhill skiing, some ice-fishing, snowmobiling. Oh, the things I do for this blog... We'll have our review soon. In the meantime, click on over to Maine Shave and see what they've got for yourself.

February 21, 2007

This month's Product of the Month from Anthony Logistics is Ingrown Hair Treatment. Eeww. But what's worse, talking about it, or living with it. That's right. Let's talk about it now, so you never have to live with it.

And since Ingrown Hair Treatment ($25) is Anthony's Product of the Month, there's a special deal associated with it. When you buy it, along with Shave Cream and Glycolic Facial Cleanser, enter promo code "beatthebumps" and get a free mesh dopp bag. Excuse me - a free "nifty" mesh dopp bag.

February 20, 2007

Here's one person I never expected to be covering in this shaving blog. Seems pop-phenome-mom Britney Spears may have a little impulse control problem. Apparently this past Friday she had the overwhelming urge to shave her head and get a couple more tattoos.

Salon owner Esther Tognozzi said: "I tried to talk her out of it, but she said, 'No, I absolutely want it shaved off now.' "Afterwards she looked in the mirror and said with tears in her eyes, 'Oh, my God, I shaved it all off. My mom is going to be so upset with me.' I asked her if the buzz cut was a symbol of a new beginning and she said, 'Yeah, something like that.'"

February 19, 2007

Cats out of the bag. The mystery behind that Save the Date we got has been revealed. Gillette has launched the latest product in its five-plus-one-bladed Fusion line - the Gillette Phantom Fusion Power Razor. And they did it in style, inviting 200 of the hottest, sexiest, shaviest young men to 7 World Trade in New York City for "Phantom Night" hosted by former American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee. (I'm only hyping the invite list because I was on it.)

Yeah, yeah, I know. You don't care about the party, the plasma, or DJ Sky Nellor. You just want to know about the razor.

Gillette Fusion Power Phantom combines the breakthrough technology of Gillette Fusion Power with a sleek new color, featuring a striking jet-black handle with copper and silver accents.

Read all about it in the press release, including this quote from Ms. McPhee:

"The Phantom Night was a lot of fun to host, and I especially loved meeting all these 'smooth' New York guys," said Katharine McPhee. "This razor is perfect for guys, because it gives them a great shave and has a hot, sleek design."

Somehow I don't think she said that second sentence on her own volition.

No news yet on availability, but they're already showing up on eBay. Crazy... Some people just have to be the first kid on the block.

UPDATED 2/19/07: Several ShavingStuff readers have written in saying they've already noticed the Gillette Fusion Power Phantom in their local supermarkets and drugstores. Looks like you may be able to find it in most places now.

February 16, 2007

Here's the great thing about being stranded on a deserted island - you can dispense with all those grooming formalities and go caveman. Of course the island isn't actually deserted. And there are some "others" who at some point appear to have been civilized. But whatever... when in the South Pacific, go all Tom Hanks in Cast Away.

This week's Celebrity Facial Hair Friday pick is Henry Ian Cusick, aka Desmond on the hit TV series Lost. To me he looks like a cross between Adrien Brody and a young Dustin Hoffman. This week's episode (spoiler alert!) focused on Desmond's post-button ESP. Don't watch the show? Mmm... It's a little hard to explain. Let's look at the beard.

Unkempt. Disheveled. Wild. And yet so attractive. Add a dash of Scottish accent and you've got a winner. I know all the men of Lost tend to have the same facial hair style (for good reason), but my personal favorite is Desmond. Save it. And when you're finally rescued, keep it as a reminder of your island life.

February 15, 2007

Yes I know, it's shameless marketing to get your contact info, but if you like signing up for these things (and I do), why not enter yourself to win an iPod Nano and a $100 gift certificate to iTunes. You don't even have to use Brut. Just click on over to Brut World and fill out the short survey. Hey - they already know where you live.

February 14, 2007

If you missed yesterday's post, we're looking at the four items in the Urth Perfect Travel Kit. Yesterday we covered Urth Face Wash and Urth Scrub. Today we're talking about the remaining two items - Urth Shave Formula and Urth Face Balm.

Shavin' time! Can't touch this. Urth Shave Formula is a white... formula. I think that's a great word for it. It's certainly not a gel. It's not a paste. It's kind of a cream. And yet it's not as smooth as a cream. It's a "formula". And boy does it smell great. Key ingredients include

Oh white tea... You'll be amazed at how little Urth Shave Formula you'll need. And if you've got a nice badger shave brush, you'll need even less. Urth Shave Formula doesn't exactly lather up, but it does seem to multiple itself like soap into a nice even coating on your beard. If you're thinking about making the switch to a brush, don't stick with your current stuff. Get Urth. It'll show you the power of the brush.

February 13, 2007

A couple months ago we got the Urth Perfect Travel Kit in from Details For Men, which was called simply that - the Urth Perfect Travel Kit. Now it's advertised on the Urth website as the "TSA-Compliant" perfect travel kit. There's no such thing as inconvenience when it comes to marketing - only opportunity.

But the Urth Perfect Travel Kit is more than a gimmick. In fact it's downright solid. As we mentioned in our previous post, you get travel sized versions of Face Wash, Shave Formula, Face Balm SPF 15, and Face Scrub. Plus, they come in a handy mesh travel bag for easy storage. The mesh bag is actually pretty nice, although it's small enough that you're probably not going to replace your current travel bag with this one.

February 12, 2007

Just received a sample of Bold For Men, a new shaving gel for head and face... with a twist. It goes on dry. That's right. Instead of a light coating of warm water first, you simply massage a thin layer into your skin, wait 30 seconds, and then shave as normal. No water on the face, but you still wet your razor and rinse regularly.

Some shaving oils are recommend to be applied to a dry face, but that makes sense since oil is a lubricant. Also oil and water don't play well together. The only other shaving product I've tried which is applied to a dry face is Kiehl's Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream - Blue Eagle (and White Eagle and Green Eagle). Kiehl's is pretty good, but it's a dry paste to begin with, so there ain't much lubrication going on. (If you're using Kiehl's, definitely use a powered razor.) I'm eager to try Bold For Men gel. Being a gel I expect it to be more lubricating than Kiehl's, and being a gel I expect it be clearer so I see what I'm doing.

I've got a lot of questions. You've got a lot of questions. Until we've put Bold For Men through the ShavingStuff test lab, you'll have to settle for the Bold For Men FAQ or this review from Sly Bald Guys for answers. Expect our review soon. In the meantime, Bold For Men is $20 for a 4oz tube and is available at www.boldformen.com.

February 10, 2007

Just received a coupon/promo code for all you ShavingStuff readers. Just enter "shavingstuff" when you're at TimeToSpa and you'll get 10% off your order. TimeToSpa is the exclusive online provider of Elemis spa products, including these men's shaving supplies and the Elemis Universal Traveler Kit which we looked at earlier in the week. Click on over and save!

February 9, 2007

Those of us in the Boston area were treated to a scare recently when guerilla marketing for the TV show Aqua Teen Hunger Force was mistaken for bombs. While there was no malice behind the campaign, I can't help but wonder if somehow this is exactly the kind of prank the Hunger Force might pull. Specifically Frylock. I mean look at the guy... er... fry. He's got a goatee. That makes him evil. Remember evil Spock from the transporter accident? Goatee. Evil.

February 8, 2007

I got a new electric nose hair trimmer recently. Let's just say that I was embarrassed about how old my previous Braun electric nose hair trimmer was, and the Braun wasn't even a wet/dry. That means it really hadn't ever been cleaned. Yeesh.

Cut to the chase - I miss my Braun. The Panasonic feels underpowered (if that's even possible for a nose trimmer). While I really do like the fact that I can rinse it out afterwards, I don't feel like this guy does as good a job of cutting those nasties out of my nasals. And the light? It's a joke. One of those cheap LEDs which belongs on the front of your VCR. That's right. The VCR you threw out two years ago when you switched to DVDs.

Does Braun even make ear and nose trimmers anymore? The only thing I could find was this page from Amazon UK about a discontinued Braun. Sad. So sad.

February 7, 2007

ShavingStuff. A site about all things shaving. That's our mission. But when it comes to reviews, we often look at several products from a single men's grooming line - from cleanser to exfoliant, toner, shaving cream, and after shave balm. What am I saying? I'm trying to segue into this review about toothpaste. Sure, it's not exactly shaving related. But it is related to premium high-quality brands, and it's sold at many of the sites we like. So indulge me.

A while back we got a shipment of two Marvis toothpastes from Details for Men - Aquatic Mint and Classic Strong Mint. I've always been a Colgate Winterfresh Gel man. Until they stopped making it. Now I generally choose whatever seems least offensive at Target.

Enter Marvis, an Italian toothpaste with five flavors - Fruit Mint, Classic Strong Mint, Aquatic Mint, Ginger Mint, and Jasmin Mint. (Yes, that's how they spell "Jasmin".) Notice anything missing in this list? Where's the "whitening" toothpaste? Where's the one with "breathe-scrubbing flavor crystals"? Not there. How refreshing! A toothpaste that's just a toothpaste.

I'm not expert that this stuff, but here's what I like: the favors of the ones I tried - Aquatic Mint and Classic Strong Mint - are subtle and clean. None of this over-the-top minty explosions in your mouth. These are mature adult toothpastes. So mature in fact, that realtors put them in the bathrooms of luxury Manhattan condos when they're trying to sell them. (Read that in a recent New York Time article.) Are they approved by the American Dental Association? Probably not. Do you think Italians make sub-standard products? Let me refer you to my friend Enzo Ferrari.

My personal favorite of the two was Aquatic Mint. Just a cool, smooth flavor. Classic Strong Mint is good too, and don't be fooled by the word "strong". In America that means "Altoids". In Italy that means "predominant flavor".

February 6, 2007

Valentine's Day is approaching fast and love is in the air. So are savings. Like this offer from BuzzSkin - 14% off all purchases until February 14th. Just enter promo code "buzz214" at checkout and receive your Valentine's Day discount. Love it!

February 5, 2007

Heard of Elemis? Probably not. Unless you lead the jet-set life and regularly whisk off to their London or Miami Beach locations, you probably haven't heard of this high-end product line. But now you have the opportunity to bring a little spa life into your home, thanks to the recent launch of TimeToSpa.com. And Elemis has just what you need. The Elemis Universal Traveller kit combines a little bit of everything to "keep you fresh, and moisturized from head to toe". In particular, here's what you get:

Men's Deep Cleanse Facial Wash

Energising Skin Scrub

Smooth Result Shave Oil

Post Shave Recovery Mask

Aching Muscle Super Soak

Skin Soothe Shave Gel

Sharp Shower

Lip Rescue

Bright Eyes Recovery Gel

Instant Refreshing Gel

S.O.S. Survival Cream

A $245 value, yours for only $139. Not too shabby. Now why do you need a gift again...? Oh yeah! Valentine's Day is coming up.

And if that price is a little too steep for you, Elemis also has individual shaving oils, gels, and post-shave masks for you to try, plus the Purely For Men kit (Deep Cleanse Facial Wash, Energizing Skin Scrub, Post Shave Recovery Mask, S.O.S. Survival Cream, Skin Soothe Shave Gel) at $85.

February 2, 2007

ShavingStuff reader Dennis recently sent this video of a man demonstrating the British product Ultra Shave. Warning - this video contains scene for mature shavers only. Specifically - do NOT shave like this man. Ultra Shave may work wonders on a beard, but shaving wreaks havoc on your skin. Use as few strokes as possible. Don't repeatedly hack your skin with a blade. I kept wincing as I heard the scrape of the razor over his face. That man may have skin as tough as leather, but that's because he's been using his face as a strop.

So what's up with this Ultra Shave product? I don't know. It's available online at Modern Gent for £12.95. There are some wonderful testimonials below. My favorite is from Tony Harris, age 30, which begins "Like most gentlemen of note and breeding, I consider myself to have very sensitive skin..." The British are so dignified.

Anyone use this product? Are you not supposed to use water with it? Who doesn't rinse their razor after a couple strokes? And is the guy in the movie really Francis Rossi of Status Quo?

February 1, 2007

Remember the Hesketh 4x4? We first met Mark Hesketh back in October of 2005 when we learned of a novel idea to switch the first two blades with the last two blades of a four-bladed razor. This allows you to get more shave from the latter blades while only sacrificing the duller primary ones. Then in April of 2006 we learned that Mark had patented the idea. Now here's Mark at the Vodafone "Big Idea" describing in person how the Hesketh 4x4 works, with actual demonstration of the changing of the blades. Have a watch. (And I have no idea why you can only watch the video on YouTube, but click over and check it out.)